Growing Beans in Tana River
Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Tana River is moderately suited to Beans. Tana River's soil (pH 6.4, slightly acidic) gives Beans a suitability score of 56/100. Match fertilizer to Tana River's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Beans can be grown in Tana River County, but the soil scores 56/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7 band Beans prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus — measured at N 1.04 g/kg, P 8.5 mg/kg, K 108 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/low demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Beans prefers loam soils, while Tana River is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Beans is the #17 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Tana River County. Beans's full potential is about 800 kg/acre (~KES 104,000/acre at KES 130/kg), but at Tana River's 56/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 560 kg/acre (~KES 72,800/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Tana River's soil: Sorghum, Cowpeas, and Pigeon Peas — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Tana River soil | Beans needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.4 | 6–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.04 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 8.5 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 108 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 400 mm | 500–1,600 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–2,500 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Tana River
Long Rains· March–May
Short Rains· October–DecemberMain season here
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Tana River's nitrogen reads 1.04 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Beans is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Tana River
Varieties suited to Tana River's 200 m altitude and 400 mm annual rainfall — 4 of 7 beans varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag